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Inside the Rise of Digital Nomads and Expats
Data on the cities, visas, and trends shaping life beyond borders.
Philip Saparov
May 06, 2025
In partnership with
Greetings, inquisitive mind of world migration trends!
The world is not just more connected—it’s more mobile. From remote tech workers to retirees seeking affordability and sun, a new kind of global citizen is emerging: the long-term traveler.
But who’s really living abroad, and where are they going? What draws them, what challenges do they face, and how is this reshaping the world?
Today, we unpack the rise of digital nomads, permanent expats, and everyone in between—backed by data, grounded in reality, and full of insight.
Let’s get into it...
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Just over a decade ago, the phrase “digital nomad” was a fringe concept. Today, it's a booming lifestyle. Fueled by remote work, better connectivity, and changing work culture, digital nomads now make up a sizable, measurable demographic—and governments are paying attention.
The top three countries attracting them?
🇵🇹 Portugal offers a digital nomad visa, affordable living, and vibrant expat communities.
🇹🇭 Thailand balances infrastructure and exotic appeal, with Chiang Mai and Bangkok leading.
🇲🇽 Mexico's low cost of living and proximity to the U.S. make it a favorite, especially among Americans.
But being a digital nomad isn’t just about beaches and laptops—it’s also about tax residency, visa laws, and the search for work-life balance.
🔎 Interesting twist: There are now over 50 countries offering digital nomad visas, many with tax incentives and perks for long-term stays.
Americans are heading abroad in greater numbers—not just for travel, but for life. Rising healthcare costs, inflation, and the lure of a better lifestyle are pushing many to relocate.
Top destinations for U.S. expats?
🇲🇽 Mexico leads the pack with over a million U.S. citizens living there.
🇨🇷 Costa Rica offers healthcare, nature, and a slower pace.
🇵🇭 Philippines appeals to retirees with English-speaking locals and affordable living.
Cost of living, climate, healthcare, and community drive the decision. And unlike traditional migration, many retain U.S. citizenship while embracing a new home.
🔎 Surprising fact: More than 9 million Americans now live outside the U.S.—a population roughly the size of New Jersey.
Europe isn’t just a vacation destination—it’s home for millions of expats. But not all countries are equal when it comes to affordability, ease of residency, and community.
Top spots for long-term foreign residents:
🇪🇸 Spain, especially Valencia and Malaga, attracts with golden visas and Mediterranean charm.
🇭🇷 Croatia has emerged post-EU accession as a budget-friendly haven with a new nomad visa.
🇬🇷 Greece offers a 7% flat tax for retirees and incentives for remote workers.
Europe balances history, healthcare, and lifestyle—but bureaucracy can be tough, especially around visas, taxes, and language.
🔎 Little-known fact: Over 13% of Portugal’s population is now foreign-born—one of the highest in Western Europe.
With low costs, warm climates, and improving infrastructure, Latin America is seeing a surge in foreign residents—from tech nomads to retirees.
Top hotspots:
🇨🇴 Colombia, especially Medellín, combines affordability with strong Wi-Fi and scenic living.
🇪🇨 Ecuador offers a low barrier to entry with its “Rentista” visa and dollarized economy.
🇺🇾 Uruguay is gaining traction for its stable government and progressive policies.
Spanish fluency helps, but many cities offer English-speaking hubs and digital-friendly cafés. And safety, while a concern in some areas, varies widely by city and neighborhood.
🔎 Economic shift: Medellín has seen a 30% rise in co-working spaces since 2020—evidence of its growing nomad appeal.
Asia offers a unique mix of affordability, culture, and natural beauty—but also bureaucratic hoops. Residency and visa paths can be tricky, especially for long stays.
Top draws for location-independent living:
🇧🇩 Bali, Indonesia remains a global hotspot, despite complex visa rules.
🇻🇳 Vietnam offers fast internet, rich food culture, and a low cost of living—though long-term visas are harder to secure.
🇯🇵 Japan, while not cheap, appeals to professionals and families seeking safety and world-class amenities.
Some countries are now rethinking expat policies as they balance tourism with permanent migration—and digital nomads fall somewhere in between.
🔎 Regulatory update: Thailand is launching a 10-year visa aimed at wealthy nomads, retirees, and skilled workers.
Not all global wanderers live abroad the same way. Some plant roots, others drift. And the difference matters for taxes, visas, and community.
Three major groups:
📍 Permanent expats: Often retirees or career relocators seeking healthcare, safety, and cost savings.
🚀 Slowmads: Digital nomads who stay 3–12 months per country, often chasing climate or cost benefits.
🌀 Perpetual travelers: Constant movers, often in legal gray zones—skipping formal residency altogether.
The decision to stay or move is deeply personal, but governments are catching on. Immigration rules are evolving to distinguish between lifestyle migrants and digital entrepreneurs.
🔎 Curious stat: The average digital nomad stays 8.5 months in a given country before moving on.
The digital nomad trend may feel trendy, but it signals a deeper shift. As work, life, and identity decouple from place, we’re seeing the rise of a “global lifestyle class.”
What’s next?
📡 Tech-enabled migration: Starlink and remote job platforms make almost any place viable.
🏙️ Nomad cities: Expect hubs like Lisbon, Tbilisi, and Buenos Aires to invest heavily in nomad infrastructure.
🌐 Residency stacking: Wealthier nomads now pursue multiple residencies and even citizenships to increase flexibility.
Governments will compete for talent. People will compare cities like they do software: usability, speed, cost. And “home” may become more about networks than nation-states.
🔎 Future vision: By 2035, over 1 billion people may “live abroad” at some point in their lives—shifting global norms around work, identity, and belonging.
The global landscape is no longer defined by borders alone, but by bandwidth, visas, values, and lifestyles. Whether you're planning your next move or simply exploring from afar, understanding these shifts gives you an edge in navigating a rapidly changing world.
Where we live is increasingly a choice, not a given. And that choice says a lot about what we value—freedom, affordability, opportunity, or connection.
Stay informed, stay curious, and keep your passport handy.
Warm regards,
Shane Fulmer
Founder, WorldPopulationReview.com
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